Career change at 40 - realistic or not??

[Lyndon]

After 21 years with BT, nearly 40 years old, and the offer of a decent redundancy I'm seriously thinking about setting up as a spark (domestic).
I'm waiting for a reply from the local college but would be interested in the expert view of what qualifications I should go for and whether it's a realistic aim to be working for myself within two years - I really need to be clearing at least £25k by then?
How many 40 year old apprentices are out there?

Thanks

 

[tuckermot]

Hi lyndon go for it !!!!!

I started at college at 38 did 3years part time (saturdays) then trying to work with other sparks while holding down full time job !!!

I now have
2330 level 2
2330level 3
17th edition
2391
napit part p reg

scruffy escort van

i work part time only and love it good luck mate follow ya dream bud !!

 

[down2earth]

I'm in very similar situation, have applied for voluntary redundancy at work (find out on Tuesday) and have just completed VRQ domestic installers course, so new complete change of direction. I'm in a well paid job in Air
traffic Control but money isn't everything, lots of people at work have jobs that need doing which is a good way to get started.

Good luck

Down2earth

 

[NoSparks]

Well I changed at 61. 2381, 2391 and NIC registered. Making some money after 3 months but 25K is somehting I dream of!

 

[saveloy]

I don't wanna pee on anyone's dreams, but times are getting harder at the moment. There are a hell of a lot of people being laid off in the construction industry ATM. I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to leave an employed job at the moment to set up on their own. There are already a lot of experienced electricians looking for work as it is.

IMO it takes at least 2 years to get a new business off the ground and build up a reputation and client list.
By all means follow your dream and do the courses and try to get a bit of experience, but do it with the security of a job behind you.

 

[iceman]

hi started at 32 now 36
i got me
2330 electrical installation
2392 inspection and testing
2382 17th edition
2391 testing
ecs card
NICEIC registered
NO WORK!

 

[montybaber]

I'm in very similar situation, have applied for voluntary redundancy at work (find out on Tuesday) and have just completed VRQ domestic installers course, so new complete change of direction. I'm in a well paid job in Air
traffic Control but money isn't everything, lots of people at work have jobs that need doing which is a good way to get started.

Good luck

Down2earth

Funny I was contemplating a career change to air traffic controller, how do I go about the transition? is there any fast track courses?

 

[Lyndon]

VRQ domestic installers course - how does this compare with the three year day release my local college is offering? Does the intense course give you enough info to become a "competent person" and start trading?

 

[Mac]

VRQ domestic installers course - how does this compare with the three year day release my local college is offering? Does the intense course give you enough info to become a "competent person" and start trading?

It will make you a competent person as stated in their brochure.So you can register with a scheme provider and do domestic electrics.At the end of the day mate,experience is what you need.Someone else posted that someone was assessed and was a competent spark in 45 mins.

 

[Lyndon]

Thanks all - looks like that may be the way to go for now and day release for the rest. I guess the sensible way would be to go and work some someone for 6 months at very cheap rates to get the experience?
Honest appraisal time - is anyone likely to employ a 40 year old newby in this climate (with the amount of house extensions going on in my area I guess there must still be some work out there)?

Cheers

 

[Mac]

Funny I was contemplating a career change to air traffic controller, how do I go about the transition? is there any fast track courses?

Join the Navy or Air ForceHa Ha

 

[montybaber]

Thanks all - looks like that may be the way to go for now and day release for the rest. I guess the sensible way would be to go and work some someone for 6 months at very cheap rates to get the experience?
Honest appraisal time - is anyone likely to employ a 40 year old newby in this climate (with the amount of house extensions going on in my area I guess there must still be some work out there)?

Cheers

In all honesty no mate sorry, with the amount of mates and apprentices being layed off it would be very unlikely

 

[DancingRadio]

you want honesty so i will give you it. you are in a dream world, takes 3 years minimum to qualify then you need experience on top and no one is likely to take you on knowing it will be a stepping stone for you. as for clearing 25k in 2 years.....dream on!!

 

[Des 56]

If you have an electrical background which you may have being with BT,then perhaps the actual qualifications bit will not be the main hurdle
To work for a decent firm you dont have the time to get whats expected

The way around it has been demonstrated by the Communities and local government and the scheme providors when they thought up the fiasco called part p
To enroll with some of them,you may do so with just the regulations exam,17th edition,which any decent person with half a brain could pass

With this qualification and a couple of jobs to show they will register you as self certificating
people will say you have to have extensive experience etc,but in reality as long as you have the above and some cash to spare to pay the fee,you would be very unfortunate not to get in
I havn't heard of many or even any who have failed

That bit is the easy bit.what about the client
Would you not agree that unloading an inexpeienced person onto an unsuspecting client would be paramount to taking money under false pretenses

Becoming self employed and earning 25 K in 2 years can be achieved without too much hardship,especially if you have a redundancy payout that cushions the recession for you
However there is more to life than counting how many pounds have been earned,there is the morality of doing a competent job for a reasonable pay back
Unfortunately and others will agree,this cannot be done in short trained chancing
Because it is feasable does not make it right
Take the full course route,get yourself sparks mate employment and gain experience before thinking of self employment and the fantasy riches that go with it
You will feel more satisfied doing the right training and doing a sparks standard job

 

[Lyndon]

Certainly not in this for a quick buck (the 25k just seemed a reasonable starting point for the discussion) and definitely wouldn't want to be classed as a rogue trader!
Couldn't agree more about "the morality of doing a competent job for a reasonable pay back" and don't understand why the part P route would stop me doing this?
Any one else out there actually done what I'm contemplating - real life examples (good and bad) would be good? TBH this would be one of the biggest decisions of my life so I need to get this right........

 

[carl9254]

Im in a similar situation, i have 6 years electrical engineering behind me but want to get into the domestic side of electrical work, i want too do the courses and set up on my own but it will be very hard too start, im hoping my PAT Testing may get me a bit of work in to start. Im just very worried that i have no experiance in this side of electrical work and the courses will get me the qualifications but not the experiance i need.

 

[soulman]

hi mate started career change at 36. i,m doing the 2330 part time and just started my second year. i looked into these fast track courses in great depth, but decided to do to college as it was £400 instead of £6000, and i would only loose that amount if i didnt enjoy it or found it too difficult. I have been to college for my first year and thoughly enjoyed it. i now know for myself that fast track is not the way to go. Electrical work requires thought and time to allow things to sink in and fully understand it . I understand that college is different to the real world and things will be slightly different working out there. therefore i spoke to two electicians both said in my third year i would be free to tag along, one or two days a week free of charge of course to help and learn. one electricain actually said "if you any good i,ll start you." these were two electricians i didnt even know. i thought this was unbeliveable. Anyway i decided to become a electrician because i'm good with my hands practically and electrical work is very interesting and well paid as it should be. in my opinion someone who can do a part p 17th edition and register with a body, then go to work on someones property is dangerous, when there is no way you could fully understand what you are doing and the dangers involved. No wonder fully qualified electricians are furious. Also with regards to the money side of it, i have noted that similar sites like this one for electricians and plumbers all seem to go down the same avenue stating you cant earn this amount of money, there is no work. you haven't got the experience. well just because your an electrician, working for yourself, doesn't mean you have a degree in business. i have had my own business for twelve years now in the food trade. i know of people who have changed careers to plumbers and sparks some with no training on the plumbing side and they are minted, always got work even in this climate. you have to be business minded you cant just sit on your ar*e with your qualifications and expect a huge influx of work and a huge pay packet. you will have to know how to market yourself and adapt to climate changes. I know a spark who had very little work about a year ago, so he adapted he was continualy being asked to install electric showers and seen how much plumbers were making, now he continues to do electrial work, but also installs full bathrooms and can sign them off himself. i know this seems a bit long winded, what i'm trying to say dont let people put you off. i think 25K is mork than achiveable also when you start you may mistakes which will cost. but just post on here they seem to keep even the experieced spark on the right track.

 

[tuckermot]

good post soul man !!

 

[simond1972]

Funny I was contemplating a career change to air traffic controller, how do I go about the transition? is there any fast track courses?

now now girls

 

[montybaber]

now now girls

Excuse me?

 

[madeinengland]

Hi lyndon go for it !!!!!

I started at college at 38 did 3years part time (saturdays) then trying to work with other sparks while holding down full time job !!!

I now have
2330 level 2
2330level 3
17th edition
2391
napit part p reg

scruffy escort van

i work part time only and love it good luck mate follow ya dream bud !!

how difficult did you find the 2391? did you have much experience when you did it? i've done 3 years at college with no on site experince and have been told by my tutor that he thinks i'd pass 2391. yet everyone else tells me it's very very difficult. sorry to hijack the post guys.

 

[simond1972]

Excuse me?

your answer to the guys question was not very helpfu,l seemed sarcastic infact

 

[montybaber]

You can read my advice to the OP again and maybe you will se that I was trying to be helpful

The air traffic control comment was tongue in cheek and perhaps uncalled for although I do think I have a point more importantly since when do I have to justify anything I write on here to you?

 

[Mark.W]

Come on guys lets be civil on here!

 

[simond1972]

You can read my advice to the OP again and maybe you will se that I was trying to be helpful

The air traffic control comment was tongue in cheek and perhaps uncalled for although I do think I have a point more importantly since when do I have to justify anything I write on here to you?

Hey dont be like that i was just joking too with my now now girls comment nothing meant by it

 

[montybaber]

Hey dont be like that i was just joking too with my now now girls comment nothing meant by it

Ok.... sorry if I overreacted I apologise, Its a subject I feel strongly about im afraid.

To become an professional in our industry takes as much dedication as many other professions although it would be laughable to think anyone could make the transition from electrician/engineer to air traffic controller in a matter of weeks, it seems the opposite isnt the case and it saddens me.

Brightspark...although I respect every forum requires moderation I disagree that my post was uncivilized. i cant see your intervention was required although I appreciate your concern

 

[Mark.W]

That wasn't directed at you Mondybaber mate It was directed at the thread as a whole!

 

[montybaber]

Ok...for the second time i apologise

 

[Spudnik]

And on that note, unless the OP requests otherwise, thread closed.

 

[Dave]

Thanks jason.


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